Sports bars are hubs for meeting friends after work or just relaxing away from the stress of the day. Most seem the same, with an upbeat atmosphere and wings (you have to get the wings).
Not all of them are the same, though. Some have done an excellent job of building a following because they’re unique, super cool, or have become an important spot for locals.
If you’re traveling or looking for good friends, laughs, and an excuse to go out to eat more in your hometown, these are the coolest sports bars in every state.
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Alabama: Paramount (Birmingham)
For over 10 years, Paramount has been the place to blow off steam.
From the arcade with 20 classic and modern games to the super cool vibe with shop lights and butcher block bar, Paramount is an excellent choice for those looking for a grown-up version of a day out.
Check out the super interesting mural and the car rims that line one of the walls. It’s a true car shop feel from back in the day.
Alaska: 907 Alehouse and Grill (Anchorage)
At 907 Alehouse and Grill, people get to know each other thanks to the friendly team here. Excellent food, Alaska-proud, and locally owned and operated, this is a local treasure.
There’s a huge beer list and even a secret menu available only to VIP members. In addition to well-loved pizza and wings, they also have tacos and burgers. The Raspberry Martini is a local favorite, too.
Arizona: Majerle’s Sports Grill (Downtown Phoenix)
Majerte’s Sports Grill is a bit more upscale than a traditional sports bar, but it’s an excellent place to hang out and catch the game.
Opened in 1992, it has been the best place to watch the game for decades. It’s also owned by Dan Majerle, a Phoenix Suns basketball legend. If you want to talk basketball, there’s no better place to be.
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Arkansas: Four Quarter Bar (North Little Rock)
A recognized leader by local news outlets, Four Quarter Bar has a fantastic vibe. Excellent local craft beer, live music on the weekends, and even brunch on Sunday await you.
They go further, with vegetarian options on the menu, a kitchen open until 1:30 a.m. each night, and the game always on.
California: O’Connells Sports Pub & Grille (Huntington Beach)
Participate in the annual charity events like the golf tournament or chili cook-off at O’Connells Sports Pub & Grille, and you’ll be supporting local charities.
O’Connells stands out because it’s a traditional bar with passion. The Irish theming is fantastic, but this is a local destination, not another one of the touristy locations scattered throughout the city.
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Colorado: Stoney’s Bar & Grill (Denver)
Stoney’s Bar has three locations, but the one on Lincoln in Denver is an excellent choice if you’re after craft beer, live music, and gameday fun.
It’s a locally owned sports bar in a 150-year-old bar with a wood-exposed brick wall, super cool building. It's the go-to local destination with 70 TVs, projection screens, and a stage for bands.
Connecticut: Double Play Cafe (Wallingford)
Play some darts, catch the game, and the Central CT staple menu item: the Steamed Cheeseburger.
This is a location where the locals go for late-night food, baseball, and good conversations with the well-known local bartenders.
Delaware: Stanley’s Tavern (Wilmington)
Sports lovers will want to visit Stanley’s Tavern, a local destination known for its upscale vibe and sports bar concept. The menu features crab deviled eggs, smoked brisket, and the best steaks in the city.
If you’re an Eagles fan, you’re in good company here. They also host events and have a menu full of specials that certainly elevate from the typical bar menu.
Florida: Mickey Burkes (Miami Beach)
Mickey Burkes is an authentic South Beach sports bar and neighborhood hot spot. The cocktails are refreshing on a hot, humid day, and the bar is more refined and lounge-like.
There’s always a game on and often a local band. A huge location that’s nearly always packed on the weekends, Mickey Burkes is a must if you’re visiting the city.
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Georgia: City View Sports Bar & Bistro (Austell)
It seems like a smaller town bar, but City View Sports Bar & Bistro is the heart of the city. Southern charm and live sports make for a fun few hours.
With an upscale menu carefully curated to be a bit more elegant than the average bar, it’s an excellent place to catch the game, unwind with wine on the patio, or reconnect with friends.
Hawaii: Pitch Sports Bar (Honolulu)
Pitch Sports Bar has an incredible environment and a solid happy hour with good drink specials. Watch the game, enjoy some sushi, and host a group.
Pitch Sports Bar is on the second floor of SALT, a sports bar in Kaka’ako. A newer location, it has digital darts and sushi made in front of you. What’s not to love?
Idaho: The Zone Sports Grill (Idaho Falls)
The Zone Sports Grill is a low-key destination with an authentic sports bar feel. Instead of frills, it offers great food, live music, and an excellent fire pit outside.
Known locally for its welcoming atmosphere, it’s the place to be to catch the game. It has 18 big-screen TVs and 22 beers on tap.
Illinois: Lassen’s Tap Bar & Grill (Homewood)
Book the party room for a group of friends. Enjoy the craft beer, or check out the OG Smash burger. No matter what you do, you’ll have fun cheering on the team at Lassen’s Tap Bar & Grill.
The brisket egg roll is a solid choice, but even the fried Brussels salad has a unique flavor worth trying.
Indiana: Ale Emporium (Indianapolis)
With three destinations throughout the region, Ale Emporium has grown to be a local treat. The Indianapolis location is always hopping.
It’s the home of Honest Pizza and World Famous Hermanaki Wings, which have been served up since 1982. The local beers are excellent with the wings, too.
Iowa: Centerfield Sports Bar (Windsor Heights)
Sit outside or in the cool air conditioning at Centerfield Sports Bar to keep cool while you watch the big game. The location’s Wrigley Field theme is perfect for baseball lovers.
A popular gathering spot in the region, it’s quite casual and friendly, the kind of place where everyone feels at home.
Kansas: The Golden Q. (Hays)
A local hole-in-the-wall sports bar and grill, The Golden Q is a fun place no matter what sports season it is.
This sports bar offers plenty of food choices, darts, a heated patio, and karaoke for those brave enough. It is also noted for its live entertainment on the weekends.
Kentucky: Blind Squirrel (Louisville)
The Blind Squirrel is a large, well-known establishment in the heart of Louisville. It is equally known for its live music and sports as it is for its food.
Sit by the firepit on a cool night, sip some wine for a classy evening, or scream your heart out for the local band. It’s all good here.
Louisiana: MRB (New Orleans)
To stand out in New Orleans, you really have to be unique, and MRB is the coolest sports bar around.
Choose the Cajun kitchen or oyster bar, along with your favorite beer (there are 100 on the menu), and listen to a local band out in the courtyard.
The game is always on, and when watching them with the local favorite “Frozen Green Drank,” your team always looks good.
Maine: The Moose (Falmouth)
At The Moose, they know how to throw a party and do it for everything from the Super Bowl to the Little League viewing parties.
With 15 TVs and the epic tailgate back patio with comfortable couches and fireplaces, it’s easy to forget everything else here.
Maryland: West End Sports Bar & Grill (Annapolis)
The West End Sports Bar & Grill has been the local culture-defining destination in the city for 20 years.
There’s nothing corporate-owned here. Instead, it’s about people, relationships, and really good bar food (along with all the sports games out there).
Massachusetts: The Bleacher Bar (Boston)
Located under the bleachers at Fenway Park, The Bleacher Bar is a too-cool location just a few feet from Ted Williams Red Seat. It’s a location where it’s always baseball season, and it’s impossible to find a more authentic Boston sports bar.
Passionate about the game, and the beer and food here are also excellent. It’s all about talking World Championship baseball here.
Michigan: Falls Sports Lounge (Dearborn)
Falls Sports Lounge is your typical sports bar known for its burgers (the BBQ Coleson Slaw Burger is one of the most recommended.
Aside from food, this smaller bar is everything you want in a getaway destination. Great atmosphere and friendly people make it even better.
Minnesota: Bunny’s Bar & Grill (St. Louis Park)
A neighborhood bar and grill that’s served the area since 1933, Bunny’s Bar & Grill is a local treasure.
It’s a bit different and even serves breakfast each day, but it’s still the place everyone heads to for their $1 Bloody Marys with breakfast (It’s a long-time tradition here).
If you want breakfast, just get there early since the lines are out the door. The people are even better than the food.
Mississippi: Adventures Pub & Spirits (Biloxi)
Super friendly, anything but your dark bar, Adventures Pub & Spirits is an upscale, welcoming destination that’s been a staple in the area for 25 years.
It’s the local hangout, just a few blocks from Casino Row. A location that’s survived hurricanes, this is a more refined sports bar.
Missouri: Crazy Craig’s Cheeky Monkey Bar (Branson)
A super fun location known for its music and nightlife, Crazy Craig’s Cheeky Monkey Bar really does live up to its name.
Known for its 7-hour happy hour during the week and solid food, this location is the place to be for intense bar fun.
Montana: Spectators Sports Bar & Grill (Bozeman)
Bozeman’s Spectators Sports Bar & Grill is the place to be when you want to cheer on the Bobcats or hang out with friends.
You can bet on some games, check out the daily specials, like the pizza that’s on budget, and hang out with good people passionate about sports.
Nebraska: The Press Box Sports Bar & Grille (Lincoln)
Friendly, well-lit, and unpretentious, The Press Box Sports Bar & Grille is a place you’ll come back to time and time again.
Their food is outstanding whether you’re after pancakes and French toast for breakfast or the cheap (but super good) happy hour menu with nachos and wraps).
Nevada: Carl and Martin’s Bar (Henderson)
Step away from the over-the-top digital experiences in Vegas to Carl and Martin’s Bar. This destination started in Reno in 1944.
Today, you can enjoy excellent food from their ghost kitchen partners, karaoke, pool games, and trivia on Tuesdays.
New Hampshire: The Hen House Sports Bar & Grill (Newton)
Noted for its cocktails, The Hen House Sports Bar & Grill is a fun place to be. With 25 HD TVs, you cannot miss a second of the game.
Noted for their bar food and traditional American cuisine, along with their friendly team, they are the location to be for a good meal at any time.
New Jersey: Blue 42 Restaurant & Bar (Elmwood Park)
The Blue 42 Restaurant and Bar started as just a hobby for the owners, but then it became a passion for making bar food great.
Excellent food (check out those wing sauces), live music and events, and always celebrations for the local teams make this destination a local favorite.
New Mexico: Boxcar (Santa Fe)
Boxcar is known as the fun place to be, with a sought-after Sunday brunch with the perfect Bloody Mary and endless events throughout the week.
Catch some karaoke, comedy, or their chilling Sunday patio party, all live events hosted throughout the week.
New York: Mustang Harry’s (New York City)
A sports bar on 7th Avenue in New York, Mustang Harry’s is a busy destination most of the time and well worth waiting for after a game at Madison Square Garden.
This location is also popular with locals who are looking for good pub food and international spirits. It has cozy areas for quiet conversations and lots of TVs for the best game coverage.
North Carolina: Upper Deck Sports Bar & Pub (Cary)
Smaller, iconic, and with 28 rotating beers on tap, Upper Deck Sports Bar & Pub is a local favorite.
The dart boards, pool tables, and ping pong competitions can become fierce, but it’s all in good fun with local friends. It’s never boring here.
North Dakota: Wild Bill’s Sports Saloon (Fargo)
Good food, friendly bar staff, and a relaxing atmosphere are just some of the reasons people visit Wild Bill’s Sports Saloon.
With wall-to-wall TVs, blackjack, bingo, some excellent cocktails, and cold beer on tap, it’s easy to chill with comfort food here.
Ohio: Parlay Sporting Club + Kitchen (Columbus)
Parlay Sports Club & Kitchen is the place to be when the Buckeyes are on the field and just about any other time.
There are games, specialty-curated drinks, and local craft beer. Check out the events, from live music to football parties.
Oklahoma: Hopscotch Kitchen & Bar (Oklahoma City)
Truly a local dive, Hopscotch Kitchen and Bar is the place to let go of the day after work. The food is on point, with freshly made pizzas, wings, and more.
Hopscotch’s eclectic menu and craft beer selection are hard to beat, especially when the game’s on.
Oregon: The Hideaway Tavern (Bend)
The Hideaway Tavern is one of a couple of family-owned destinations known for it’s relaxed atmosphere and outdoor patio area.
There’s a breakfast menu for the weekend, 18 taps, artfully inspired cocktails, and excellent food. They call themselves the destination where “Food Network meets ESPN.”
Pennsylvania: Screwballs Sports Bar & Grille (King of Prussia)
When you need a local dive for good, cheap food so you can catch the game and relax, Screwballs Sports Bar & Grille is the location to be.
It’s smaller, easily loved by locals, and happens to have some outstanding brews and food on the menu.
Rhode Island: Ladder 133 Kitchen & Social (Providence)
Ladder 133 Kitchen & Social has everything from a full-service restaurant to a sports bar, an elegant lounge, and even an event space.
No matter why you visit, the food is excellent in this 1902 firehouse building. The 33 flat screens and endless happy hour are also reasons to visit.
South Carolina: Local Cue (Greenville)
Local Cue is a sports bar with a unique quality. It aims to be a family restaurant with games to play at the table and appropriate games on the TV.
Comfort food, hundreds of board games, and super-friendly people make it easy to feel good about visiting this location after a long day.
South Dakota: Mulligan’s Sports Bar and Casino (Aberdeen)
The best place to relax after work is Mulligan’s Sports Bar and Casino. It’s easy enough to get a great meal here (and the daily specials keep it affordable, too).
The menu is packed with goodness, including wagyu burgers and wraps. Leave room for the Cookie Dough Cheesecake Egg Rolls or the Raspberry Cheesecake Egg Rolls.
Tennessee: Jonathan's Grille (Spring Hill)
With several locations in its family of sports bars, Jonathan’s Grille is known for its welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere and excellent comfort food. The Spring Hill location is at the heart of it all.
This family-owned, upscale sports bar aims to provide better food, better service, and a clean destination with fresh food. What a concept!
Texas: Bronco’s Sports Bar & Grill (Hurst)
Great service, excellent food, and a welcoming atmosphere make Bronco’s Sports Bar & Grill the kind of place you want to go to after a long, hard day.
The location is a noted community hot spot and has been since it opened its doors in 1989. Get to know the staff, participate in the events, and, of course, order to go when you can’t stop in for a drink.
Utah: The Green Pig Pub (Salt Lake City)
You need a better pub. At least, that’s what The Green Pig Pub aims to offer. Delicious food, including both vegan and gluten-free options. Stop in for the game, play trivia, or jam to karaoke.
Blues Jam, a local band, plays most Mondays. This fantastic, upscale community bar is an excellent choice for those who want something special.
Vermont: Rimrock’s Mountain Tavern (Stowe)
Your local, authentic tavern with a rich history of offering homestyle cooking, Rimrock’s Mountain Tavern, is a destination.
The game’s on, but the food alone is a reason for visiting. Live music makes it even better.
Virginia: Footers Sports Pub (Virginia Beach)
Footers Sports Pub is an excellent choice for those who want excellent food, billiards, and Golden Tee Golf. The jumbotron always has the big game on.
This destination opened in 1987 and remains a family-operated location that feels like home to the locals.
Washington: Doofers Bar & Grill (Renton)
Doofers Bar & Grill has long been the local favorite. It’s a location where everyone knows everyone, there’s always someone to play pool with, and the food is always on point.
They’re known for their huge burgers and broasted chicken, but locals also love their atmosphere and friendly staff.
West Virginia: Adelphia Sports Bar & Grille (Charleston)
A super cool destination known for its always-open hours and excellent lunch specials during the week, Adelphia Sports Bar & Grille is the local hangout.
It’s a very community-forward organization that sponsors everything from schools to charitable foundations. The food is fantastic. The beer menu is always updated with something new.
Wisconsin: Steny’s Tavern & Grill (Milwaukee)
A top-rated sports bar for its food and personality, Steny’s Tavern & Grill is also the place you seek out after a bad day.
The food is excellent but simple enough and priced well. The Tex-Mex burger is a local favorite.
Wyoming: Humphrey’s Bar & Grill (Gillette)
A full-serve restaurant, family-friendly destination, and totally cool sports bar, Humphrey’s Bar and Grill offers a full line of craft beers and a blend of American and Cajun food.
This family-owned destination has nice outdoor seating, but the bar is always the place to hang out.
Bottom line
Finding a sports bar is easy. However, finding one that offers great food, outstanding amenities, and friendly staff can make a difference.
So grab your best cash back credit card and visit the local tavern or the most modern and eclectic sports bar. You’ll find plenty of games to watch on these big screens.
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